Investing our Time

My wife and I received a call from some dear friends of ours asking if we would like to join them for a musical evening of singing. We accepted and enjoyed a nice concert. After the concert was done, we went out for some burgers and fries. It was nice to just be able to sit down and visit for a while. Investing our time with others is so important for relationships. When we are investing money in stocks, property, or business ventures, we are often looking for what we will get out of it. When it comes to investing in others, what we get out of it is secondary. Sometimes as we listen to others and encourage them, it can change their day. Sometimes, as we share our faith or invite them to join us in worship, they may be encouraged in their faith, but go to another church. As much as I would love to have them join us, I’d rather them be worshiping somewhere, than just sitting at home. I go to a men’s group weekly that is made up of many different churches. There are so many of them that I would love to have in our church, but if they can be encouraged to share the good news with others in their own churches, how can I not celebrate their investment in the faith of others. As we invest in others, we are seeking their benefit... a living faith in Jesus. We read in Romans 8, “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” We see someone, God, that is investing in us. His son wasn’t spared so that we might have the hope of eternal life. A few verses later, “...in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ...[nothing] in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Because God invested in us, giving us the assurance of eternal life with Him, we, by the power of the Holy Spirit, are able to impact the lives of many. The thought that nothing in all creation can separate us from Jesus’ love bring my heart great joy. The is only one thing that can separate you from God... and that thing is you! Let’s invest in others by praying for them, that God would enter their hearts. Let us pick one of two people to encourage. O Holy Spirit, we surrender our lives to You that we may also be Your disciples, investing spiritually in the lives of others. Amen